Team S’pore tipped for a good medal showing

SINGAPORE — Team Singapore’s chef-de-mission, Raja Singh, believes the Republic’s 154-strong contingent can put up a good performance at this week’s ASEAN Para Games, especially as they have been receiving increased support, such as sports science and funding, leading up to the event.

In fact, Raja believes the Republic’s athletes — 60 per cent of them debutants — can produce a bigger medal haul than the last APG in Myanmar in January (seven golds, 10 silvers and nine bronzes), and also improve their medal standing of seventh (out of 10 nations). Singapore’s best result at the Games was at the inaugural edition in 2001, when they bagged 37 medals (16 golds, 10 silvers and 11 bronzes). The nation finished in sixth place twice, and seventh place four times in the other editions.

“A lot of them are first-time athletes, and they have never been in an environment such as this, checking into the Games Village and unaware of what to expect,” said Raja. “I do not state specifically my medal targets for them, but just urge them to do well. I am confident that we will finish higher (in the medal table) this time around. It is possible.

“The athletes need to use the strong support from Singaporeans as a leverage to perform. More importantly, we want the athletes to enjoy themselves.”

Singapore ASEAN Para Games Organising Committee chairman Lim Teck Yin said: “I think the Singapore contingent is divided into two groups. One group whose medal targets are very critical, as they are looking beyond this APG to next year’s Rio Paralympics. They are mindful of the progress they make.

“The second group may not be Paralympic hopefuls, but I’m sure some of them will surprise us with podium finishes. I believe we can achieve a better finish than the last Para Games.” ADELENE WONG